BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s civil aviation regulator expected international airfares on key routes to stabilise again by late March after disruptions in the Middle East had shaken global flight networks.
Why tickets became suddenly more expensive
Recent disruptions to air traffic around the Middle East had affected flight connections and transfer options across the region. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), these disturbances had pushed up prices on a number of important international routes.
The authority said conditions in the market had begun to ease but cautioned that the effects of the earlier price spikes could still be felt for some time. It noted that follow-on impacts on availability and fares might linger even as operations gradually normalised.
Shaken hubs hit long-haul networks
Several major airlines in the region had suspended certain services or reduced capacity, CAAT reported. This cut the number of transfer options through key transit hubs in the Middle East that usually handled a large share of long-haul traffic.
With only a few remaining options, including some connections via Oman, the reductions mainly affected itineraries that routinely relied on these hubs as standard routes for long-distance travel. The thinning of these flight chains contributed to bottlenecks and higher fares on alternative paths.
Direct flights turned into bottlenecks
Many travellers shifted from multi-stop itineraries to direct services between Asia and Europe, which appeared more predictable amid the disruptions. This move concentrated demand on a smaller number of nonstop routes.
As a result, demand surged on these direct connections while available seats declined, leaving mostly expensive last-minute fares on the market. CAAT observed that the same pattern had also emerged in several neighbouring countries.
CAAT forecast: easing from late March
In a recent market assessment, the authority said it expected fares and capacity to stabilise step by step from the end of March. It anticipated a gradual return toward normal pricing as networks recovered.
“We anticipate that the aviation landscape and fare levels will begin to settle from late March onwards.”
said a CAAT spokesperson.
What travellers could do meanwhile
Until flight networks were close to normal operations again, the regulator recommended early booking for trips between Asia and Europe. CAAT said securing tickets well in advance offered the best chance of finding affordable fares.
For passengers with flexible schedules, the authority advised checking alternative transfer routes via other regions. Using different hubs could help travellers bypass current bottlenecks on traditional corridors.
Jet fuel prices and passenger rights under scrutiny
In parallel, CAAT was monitoring volatile jet fuel prices and holding talks with airlines and other responsible agencies about the impact on operating costs. The goal was to ensure that fare increases remained under control and did not escalate excessively.
The regulator reported no current cases of stranded passengers at Thai airports. It stressed that airlines were required to comply strictly with Civil Aviation Board Regulation No. 101 governing the protection of passenger rights.
Complaints through the official CAAT channel
Passengers who believed they had not received the care, services or compensation to which they were entitled in cases of cancellations or disruptions could file a formal complaint, CAAT said. The authority underlined that issues should be submitted through its designated online system.
According to CAAT, complaints could be lodged via the portal at complaint.caat.or.th, where cases would be recorded and forwarded to the relevant bodies for further handling.